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Rachel has been a cadet with St. John Cymru Wales for over four years. In November 2018 she was awarded the title of Flintshire County Cadet of the Year after competing in the regional competition. In early January 2019 she travelled to Cardiff to compete against lots of other county cadets for the title of National Cadet of the Year. She may not have come away with that title but she came back to North Wales with a renewed passion for the cadets of the future within our divisions here in the North. She is just a few months away from being old enough to qualify as a Youth Leader, a role she is particularly keen to take on even when she heads off to university next year, because she cares so much about the future cadets at Deeside & Mold division. 

During her time as a cadet, Rachel has been committed to volunteering her free time at various duties around the County. She is proud to wear the St John Cymru Wales uniform and is keen to promote the importance of learning first aid. She has had first hand experience of how first aid skills are invaluable on a number of occasions, most notably during an evening at the theatre when a lady in the audience became unwell and without any hesitation, Rachel rushed to offer assistance, for which she was later rewarded with a commendation. 

The second most notable occasion when her first aid training was put to good use, came after a full day on duty providing first aid care with St John Cymru Wales at the Rhyl Airshow at the end of August this year. Making her way home after the event, she was stopped by a member of the public who noticed she was in uniform. Informing Rachel that a lady had collapsed and was having seizures, without batting an eyelid, Rachel rushed to give assistance, taking control of the situation in a calm and professional manner. She remained with the patient for over an hour and even missed her train home because she wanted to ensure the lady was safe until paramedics arrived. She only left the scene once she had helped get the lady into the ambulance. 

As a parent, watching my child growing into this wonderfully selfless human being is heart warming and I couldn't be any more proud of her than I am. This amazing opportunity to travel to South Africa to represent the country she loves so much as part of an organisation she is so proud to be a part of, is something neither of us could ever have predicted when she asked - at the age of 13 - if she could join St. John Cymru Wales because she wanted to be able to help people. 

Over the coming months, Rachel will be fundraising as part of the criteria for being selected for this trip to South Africa. This includes participating in a sponsored walk between Deeside division and Wrexham division, an event that has been organised by one of Rachel's wonderful mentors at Deeside & Mold division. We are hoping to organise a number of other events, including a bake sale, so any contributions towards her fundraising, no matter how small, will all help towards her £1000 goal. 

Thank you! 

Gianne. 

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